In his illustrious career, the French designer Christian Liaigre created furniture and private interiors with a minimalist and restrained sensibility that would become his trademark, but never at the cost of luxury. When he began designing furniture in the 1980s, Liaigre’s clean lines and no-frills approach caused a stir and was considered unusual for the era. But what Liaigre knew best was creating elegant, exquisite designs that would stand the test of time.
Liaigre studied at the École des Beaux-Arts and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. He initially began as a furniture designer, opening his studio in 1985 before he would move toward interiors. His bold, timeless pieces were made in France using luxurious materials such as marble and cashmere in a soothing palette of neutral tones that look fresh to this day. Later, Liaigre began to design private interiors — from homes of influential figures like Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld to holiday homes, offices and the cabins of private yachts. He designed the interiors of the Art Deco–era Hotel Montalembert in Paris and became known in the United States for his design of the Mercer Hotel in New York City, which opened in 1997. Soon afterward, he found himself working for hotelier Ian Schrager.
To each of his interior design projects Liaigre brought his minimalist touch, which was born from his ability to distill a broad range of inspirations — from Brancusi sculptures and African art to Art Deco furniture — into simple, balanced forms. The modest beauty of his popular Nagato stool, a small and sculptural piece of seating designed in oak in 1986, represents this vision clearly and points to some more of Liaigre’s influences: the stillness found in Donald Judd’s minimalist art and many aspects of Japanese culture.
Liaigre, who earned comparisons to celebrated French designers Jean-Michel Frank and Jean Royère, was also known for his visionary use of natural and unconventional materials and is considered to be one of the first to use wenge, an African hardwood, in combination with traditional timber such as oak in his furnishings. Liaigre’s creative foresight has ensured that today he is one of the most influential and widely imitated designers of the 20th century.
Find a range of Christian Liaigre seating, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$10,000 / set
Pair of Christian Liaigre "Sudd" Stools Red Leather
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt square red leather "Sudd" stools. The stools are upholstered in Holly Hunt leather with hammered bronze legs. Made in France. Ships from Philadel...
Iron
$4,700 / item
Bazane Stool
By Christian Liaigre
Located in New York, NY
Frame description: Oak, wire brushed Frame finish: Charbon Other description: Leather Seat Other finish: Cavallino - Noir Oak WB, Charbon/Noir Cavallino.
Leather, Oak
Pair of Modern Tufted Leather X Frame Stools
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern tufted leather X frame stool, classic meets contemporary with this versatile piece. The top boxed cushion is crafted in rich brown leather accented with button tufting, it s...
Metal
Lamby Stool
Located in Paris, FR
Stool Lamby with solid wood structure, upholstered with foam and covered with removable polar fabric.
Foil
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Wood, Oak
$1,850 / item
H 33 in W 18.5 in D 19 in
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Arms, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern with a comfortable cushion in the thick weave fabric color of your choice. Sleek black metal rods complete the frame for stability, function, and aesthetic. We offer these counter stools in dining seat height or bar height as well. These can be made for outdoor use as well, or other indoor woods. We absolutely love this one! Price is per stool. specs Period/Model: New; Modern Specs: White Oak, Natural Commercial Grade Finish Customizable: Yes! It's what we do :) dimensions H: 33" W: 18.5" D: 19" Seat H: 25" SKU: Bertu Counter Stools...
Oak
Russell Stool
By Gordon Russell
Located in Greenwich, CT
The "Russell" stool, a handcrafted recreation of one of Gordon Russell's earliest and most successful Cotswold School designs, crafted in white oak by Wooster and Essex having an uph...
Linen, Oak
Pair of Klismos Stools, Ottoman, Black Leather
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Miami, FL
Pair Klismos Stools, black leather. Sold by Theodore Alexander. Width is measured from bottom of legs.
Leather, Wood
Iguan Stool
Located in Paris, FR
Stool Iguan with structure in stainless steel and steel. With abaca wood fiber from Sumatra and nylon. Handmade strong stool. Lead time production if on stock 2-3 weeks, if not o...
Stainless Steel
3 Stool Set (Stools 002, 003 & 004)
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Set of 3 hand-cast stools that can be used for seating, as side tables or as sculptural objects. For indoor and outdoor use. At the intersection of art, craft, and design, Concrete ...
Concrete, Cement
Pair of Leather Bar Stools by Ilana Goor
By Ilana Goor
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Nice rustic pair of leather bar stools after Ilana Goor. The hand stitched leather and metal details on these stools make them so unique and beautiful. Stools are installation read...
Metal
Cork Stool
Located in Paris, FR
Stool cork in solid natural aromatic cedar wood. Made in one block of cedar wood. Treated with natural pine extracts. Solid cedar wood include movement, cracks and changes in wood c...
Cedar
Russell Stool
By Gordon Russell
Located in Greenwich, CT
The Russell stool, a handcrafted recreation of one of Gordon Russell's earliest and most successful Cotswold School designs, crafted in white oak by Wooster and Essex having an uphol...
Oak
Temple Stool
Located in Paris, FR
Stool temple made in a block of natural solid cedar trunk. Treated with wax with natural pine extracts. Solid cedar wood include movement, cracks and changes in wood conditions, th...
Cedar
Sold
H 39 in W 24.25 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Christian Liaigre “Archipel” Counter Stools for Holly Hunt, USA
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined set of four “Archipel” counter stools designed by Christian Liaigre and manufactured by Holly Hunt, exemplifying Liaigre’s disciplined approach to proportion, material inte...
Leather, Oak
Holly Hunt Style Red Vinyl Bar Stools, Pair
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Style Red Vinyl Covered Bar Stools. 45" H x 18" W x 19" D; seat: 31" H. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 16 in W 60 in D 14 in
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze Bench, Minimal Modern France
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze bench, Minimal Modern France. Cream leather top. Solid metal base. Sleek and minimal with substantial weight. No longer in product...
Bronze
Christian Liaigre, Mercer Hotel Bar Chairs, Set of 4
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Astoria, NY
Christian Liaigre (French, 1943-2020) Mercer Kitchen (designed 1997) bar chairs, each with curved back the stained plywood frame with taupe-covered seat above tapering square legs conjoined by stretchers. Measures: 39" H x 19" W x 16.6" D x 27" seat height. Provenance: The Mercer Kitchen, Mercer Hotel...
Fabric, Plywood
Sold
H 16 in W 60 in D 14 in
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze Bench, Minimal Modern France
By HOLLY HUNT, Christian Liaigre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt Leather and Bronze bench, Minimal Modern France. Cream leather top. Solid metal base. Sleek and minimal with substa...
Bronze
Sold
H 17.72 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
Pair of Patinated Bronze Stools Model 'Sud' by Christian Liaigre
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Brussels, BE
Pair of patinated bronze stools model 'Sud' by Christian Liaigre.
Bronze
Christian Liaigere "Nagato" Table/Stool
By Christian Liaigre
Located in San Francisco, CA
Hard to find original signed "Nagato" side table or stool designed by renowned French furniture and interior designer Christian Liaigere for Holly Hunt. Made from raw natural oak wit...
Christian Liaigre "Giacometti" Bench for Holly Hunt
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Hamburg, PA
A wonderful simple line "Giacometti" bench by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt. Black supple leather, saddle stitched, with Giacometti designed iron base.
Iron